Remotely controlled and indicating probe actuation



y 5, 1953 L. c. SMITH 2,637,842

REMOTELY CONTROLLED AND INDICATING PROBE ACTUATION Filed Oct. 15, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet l VOLTAGE Leonard C. Smiifi/ May 5 1953 c. SMITH 2,637,842

REMOTELY CONTROLLED AND INDICATING PROBE ACTUATION Filed Oct. 13, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 JG 9 I32 Leonard CZ Smii'h May 5., 1953 0. SMITH 2,637,842

REMOTELY CONTROLLED AND INDICATING PROBE ACTUATION Filed Oct. 13, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 May 5', 1953 c. SMITH 2,637,842

REMOTELY CONTROLLED AND INDICATING PROBE ACTUATION Filed Oct. 13, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 W- I o I m 7 '/,e4

CAIN" WW 3 )p 1 i {of 7 I I I I h 3 lebu/d/rd asmith Patented May 5, 1953 f UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE REMOTELY CONTROLLED AND INDICATING PROBE AOTUATION (Granted under Title 35, U. S. Code (1952),

sec. 266) 5 Claims.

This invention relates to improvement .in testing apparatus, and more particularly to improvements in probing devices.

Prior art devices for and methods of testing apparatus by means of test probes have usually required manual control by an operator located at the equipment to be tested. Such a procedure is time consuming, inefficient, and inaccurate, and may be dangerous to personnel when high speed machinery such as rotating compressors or turbines are being tested.

The apparatus of the instant invention overcomes these disadvantages. The probe may be located at a place remote from the operator, and moved under the control of the operator. Electrical indicating apparatus is provided for indicating the instant position of the probe. A number of remotely located probes may be controlled from a central point, and one indicator used for selectively indicating the instant positions of the probes.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide new and improved probe apparatus.

Another object is to provide new and improved probe apparatus which may be remotely controlled.

Fig. 6 is a detail view partly in section taken along the line 6--6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 11 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a detailview from the line 8-8 of Fig. 2 and in which is shown a spring mounted bearing for a drive shaft;

Fig. 9 is a rear elevational view of a suitable indicator instrument;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the probe actuator and a suitable indicator and control unit;

Figs. 11 and 11a are detail views of probes which may be employed in the instant invention;

Fig. 12 is a detail view of a scale'for indicating the position of one of the probes; and

Figs. 13 and 14 are schematic diagrams of a modification of the electrical circuit of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawings for a more complete understanding of the invention, and more particularly to Fig. 2 thereof, there is shown a Another object is to provide new and improved probe apparatus having means associated with the probe for indicating the instant position of the probe.

Still another object is to provid new and improved probe apparatus in which a plurality of movable probes are employed.

A further object is to provide new and improved probe apparatus in which a single indicator is employed to selectively indicate the instant positions of a plurality of movable probes.

Still a further object is to provide new and improved probe apparatus in which a remote position indicator is employed in conjunction with a calibrated position indicator at the probe to thereby insure the accuracy of the remote indication.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent after a perusal of the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic electrical diagram of the control and indicating circuits of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the probe actuator;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the probe normally vertically disposed supporting plate I35, upon which a motor 4| and potentiometer housing I55 are mounted, the motor being attached to the plate by supporting posts I90 and screws I89. The shaft I42 of motor M has secured thereto to rotate therewith a worm I43 which meshes with gear I33, which has the hub I3I thereof secured by set screw I34 to a shaft I32, which extends through the bearing members I38, I46, and I52, and which may have integral therewith the worm gear portions I58 and I59.

The aforementioned potentiometer housing I55, within which is mounted a potentiometer 31 hereinafter to be more fully described, has a threaded neck portion, upon which is the mounting nut I53 adjacent member I55. The neck portion extends through aperture I69 in plate I35, and has threaded thereon the nut I19, which holds the housing I55 securely to plate I35. Nut I19 preferably rests within a recessed portion I in plate I35. The control shaft I62 of potentiometer 31, which controls the movable contact thereof, extends throughthe housin neck and has secured thereto the gear I6I which meshes with the aforementioned worm I58, thereby providing an arrangement in which the arm of potentiometer 31 has a setting corresponding to the setting of shaft I32, for reasons to be subsequently more clearly apparent.

The bearings for shaft I32 comprise the aforementioned support members I38, I46, and I52, which are spring supported, Fig. 8, by springs I35, I48, and I54 respectively, and have mountmg members I39, I41, and I53 respectively attached to plate I95 by screws I37, I45, and II respectively.

The plate Md is preferably mounted and maintained substantially parallel to plate I95, and. a bottom support, not shown, may be provided for this purpose if desired. Plate IMI has mounted thereon, as by screws 209, a motor 92 which may be similar to the aforementioned motor II, and which has the motor shaft I9I thereof extending through an aperture in plate I99, and to which is secured to rotate therewith the gear I92.

Gear I92 meshes with a gear I93 secured to shaft I99 to rotate therewith. Shaft I98 also has fixedly mounted thereon to rotate therewith, or integral therewith, a pair of worm gears I95 and 294. The shaft I99 is supported in three bearings I99, 299, and 298, Fig. 3, the bearings being secured to plate I l I by support portions 223, 222, and 22I respectively having screws I99, 29 I, and 299 respectively.

The aforementioned worm 2M meshes with gear 205 which has the hub 2H9 thereof secured by set screw 2M to shaft 2 I 2 to rotate therewith. Shaft 2I2 extends through an apertur in plate I44 and into the potentiometer housing 2H which houses the potentiometer 39, the housing 2 being secured to plate III I in the manner shown.

The aforementioned worm I95 meshes with gear I99, which is secured or Welded to collar I99, Fig. i. Collar I99 has the internal threads shown at 299, Fig. 12. Cylindrical or sleeve member I12, which is positioned within member I99, is threaded throughout its length except for a narrow flat strip 225, upon which is marked a longitudinally extending scale, Fig. 12. The member Il2 is prevented from rotating by key lit in keyway I'I I therein. Accordingly, as gear I96 is rotated, member I12 is caused to move longitudinally within member I 99.

Mounted or secured within the enlarged bore end portion 2H! is a member or bushing IIH, preferably of insulating material, secured therein by set screw I96 and having an aperture III'I for receiving one end of the probe 94, Fig. 4. The gear I99 has a scale 2'I 5 on the outer face thereof, Fig.3.

'Particular reference is made now to Figsi l and 5, in which are shown in cross section details of the mechanism which links plates I35 and I44 and which may be relied upon, if desired, to maintain the plates in substantially parallel positions. Gear I93 meshing with worm I59 is secured or welded at I95 to sleeve I94, which is secured to cylindrical member III to rotate therewith by set screw IIEB and lock nut Itl. Screw I98 may be provided as shown for adjustment purposes. Member I'II has a shaped right end portion, as shown, and set screw I75 holds key H9 in keyway I'I'I thereby preventing relative longitudinal movement of members HI and I99 with respect to each other, but permitting rotary movement with respect to each other.

The plate IMI has an aperture I99 therein, which provides a bearing for indented or cut away portion I79 of member I! I.

The aforementioned member III, which rotates with gear IE3, has secured thereto to rotate therewith by key I89 in key hole I94 and lock screw I82 the sleeve member I56, which has an indented end portion I59 which rotates in the bearing provided by the aperture I30 in plate I35. Secured to member I96 to rotate therewith by set screw 229 is an end portion or plug I29,

4 preferably composed of insulating material, and having shoulder I21, flange I29, neck I25, and aperture or bore I23 therein for receiving probe 33.

The operation of the aforedescribed mechanism will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. Motor M, by way of gears I93, I39, I59, and I93 positions the member I29 and probe 33 attached thereto. Gear I59 and gear IBI control the arm of potentiometer 3I in accordance with the rotary setting of probe 93. The mechanical coupling for accomplishing this is shown in Fig. 1 and generally designated by the reference numeral I5, it being understood that the aforementioned gear trains are included within the coupling I5. Likewise motor 42 by way of gears I92 and I93, and gears I95 and I96, causes probe 34 to move longitudinally with respect to plate NM. The gears 2M and 295 provide for positioning the arm of potentiometer 38, these gear trains being included in the coupling It, Fig. 1.

Particular reference is made now to Figs. 1, 9, and 10, in which the electrical measuring, indicating, and control apparatus is shown. As, previously mentioned, the instant invention contemplates the use of a plurality of probe actuators in conjunction with a single measuring instrument adapted to selectively indicate the instant positions or settings of the probes. To this end, a multiple terminal arrangement, such for example as the terminal strip 49, Fig. 1, may be provided, or one or more multiple plugs and jacks may be employed if desired. The circuit of Fig. 1 provides for eleven probes, selectively connected into the measuring circuit by the eleven position, three pole switch generally designated by the ref" erence numeral 25, Fig. 10, having the'control knob 99 and setting indicator 29, and having the three sections 25225, and 25", Fig. 1. Both ends of each potentiometer are connected to switch terminals, as shown, and one terminal of each motor is connected to a switch terminal. One end of potentiometer 31 is connected by way of lead IT to the eleventh terminal of section 25 the other end of potentiometer 3? is connected by way of lead I9 to the eleventh terminal of switch section 25". The arm of potentiometer 31 is connected by way of lead 19, which may be common to all the potentiometer arms, to a con verter. 35, presently to be more fully described. One terminal of the motor II is connected by way of lead I9 to theeleventh terminal of switch section 25", while the other terminal of'motor III is connected by way of lead 13, which may be common to all the motors, to switch terminal 93 of a four pole double throw switch 24 hereinafter to be more fully described.

In a manner similar to potentiometer 37 and motor II, the potentiometer 33 and associated motor 92 are connected to switch sections 25', 25", and 25", and to converter It and switch 24, by leads BI, 82, I I, 89, and I3. It will be understood that the circuit arrangement provides for the use of nine additional motors and po tentiometers, not shown.

The arm of switch section 29" is connected by way of lead B ll to one terminal of variable resistor M, which has the other terminal thereof connected by way of lead 56 to one terminal of slide wire potentiometer 98; the arm'ofswitch section .25" is connected by way of lead '95 to one terminal of rheostat 9'5, and the other terminal of rheostat 45 is connected by way oflead ill to the other terminal of slide wire potentiometer 58. Across the terminals of potentiometer '58 are connected, in series in the order named, switch SI, resistor 62, and battery or other source of potential 63.

At 16- is shown a converter and amplifier which may be of conventional design and commercially available, such for example as that of model 1562115 Potentiometer Indicator of the Brown Instrument Company. The lead I4 which is common to the arms of the aforementioned potentiometers 37 and 38 is connected to the converter 45, as shown. The center tap of the primary of the transformer 47, to which the output of converter 46 is applied, is connected by Way of lead 54 to the arm 55 of potentiometer 58, and which is operatively connected by coupling 53 to motor 52 to be positioned by the rotationof the motor, in a manner to be more fully described.

The secondary of the aforementioned transformer 47 supplies an input to voltage amplifier 48, which supplies an output to power amplifier 5!, which in turn supplies an output to drive metor 52, which is also energized by 110 volts A.-C. from leads II and I2. The amplifier I5 and motor 52 provide a phase sensitive arrangement, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, whereby motor 52 and arm 55 are rotated and moved in two directions selectively in accordance with the polarity of the potential difference existing between lead I4 and arm 55.

As aforementioned, one of the objects of the invention is to provide remotely controlled probe actuators, and to this end the aforementioned probe positioning motors 4i and 42 are provided. These are controlled from the aforementioned four pole three position switch, generally designated 24. The arm of switch section 25 is connected by way of lead 85 to switch terminal 90. Terminals 39 and 94 are connected by way of variable resistor 26, fuse 2i, and switch 3i to one terminal of a 24 volt D.-C. source of potential. The other terminal of the 24 volt source is connectedto switch terminals 95 and 81, while across the leads to the 24 volt source is connected the lamp 28, to be illuminated when switch 35 is closed, Terminal 93 is connected to lead I3 as aforementioned. Terminals 9I, 92, and I50 are connected by way of lead 38 to a switch 55, such as one known in the trade as a Microswitch, which is mounted upon plate II8 in the manner shown, Fig. 10, and is provided for purposes to be hereinafter more clearly apparent.

A second switch 64 is provided upon plate H8, and has the lead 5'! common with switch 55, and connected to terminal 93. Switch 54 is also connected by way of lead 55 to terminal 93 of switch 24.

Particular reference is made now to Figs. 9 and 10, in which is shown in detail the manner in which the aforementioned Brown Instrument Company potentiometer is adapted for use in the instant invention. The front plate 20 of meter 22 has a catch I9 and window H, with pointer 36, cooperating with scale 35 upon circular card I8.

Mounted within the housing, Fig. 9, and not shown in this view, is the aforementioned balancing motor 52, having shaft II3 extending through back plate I20, the pinion H2 being secured to shaft II3 to rotate therewith. Pinion I I2 meshes with the teeth of the gear I I I, which has pulley I01 secured thereto to rotate therewith. The pulley I01 has mounted therein the screw II4 having lock nut II5, screw II4 being provided, as shown, upon rotation of pulley I01, to selectively engage the arms H6 and III of switches 54 and 65 respectively, thereby to op crate the switches, the plate II8 upon which the switches are mounted being secured to back cover I20 by supports II9.

Pulley I01 has in the groove therein the cord or other suitable belt I05, which also runs in the guide pulleys I06, I03, and I04, and is wrapped around the spindle IbI as shown. It is understood that the balancing slide wire potentiometer 58 is located within the housing I02, Fig. 9, and has the arm 55 thereof operatively connected to spindle IOI to rotate therewith, the aforedescribed pulley arrangement providing for a slide wire of maximum length, and accordingly a balance of increased sensitivity.

The scale card I8 may be secured to a plate, not shown, which is secured to the shaft I00 of pulley I01, to rotate with the shaft, pulley and gear III.

In the operation of the aforedescribed portion of the circuit, a difference of potential between lead I4, or the arm of whichever of the potentiometers 37 and 38 is connected into the circuit, and arm 55, causes energization of the motor 52 to drive pinion H3, pulley I01, cord I05, spindle IOI, and arm 55 in a direction until the voltages are balanced. Scale 35, which moves in conjunction with the arm 55, may be calibrated to selectively indicate the voltages on potentiometers 3i and 38, or, if desired, the actual positions of the probes operatively connected thereto, in manners which will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

The members of the Brown Instrument Company potentiometer designated I22, I2I, I23, and I24, Fig. 9, are not required for use with the instant invention.

The rheostats 44 and 45 are provided for balancing and zero adjustments purposes. Switch 24 provides for reversing the current through the motors 4| and 42, thereby to provide for reversing their directions of rotation, while rheostat 23 provides for controlling the speed of the motors. Switches 54 and 55 are limit switches for opening the circuits to the motors when the pulley lull has rotated through an allowable limit in either direction.

The scale of the aforementioned Brown Instrument Company potentiometer is normally calibrated in temperature; in some applications, where the probe apparatus of the instant invention is employed in testing apparatus in which the temperature is an important test condition, it may be desired to use the Brown instrument for temperature measurement as well as probe actuation. This may be accomplished by a suitable switch arrangement such for example as that shown in Figs. 13 and 14. Contacts L. C, and U, Fig. 13, may be connected parallel to the lower, center, and upper contacts respectively of the aforementioned slide wire potentiometer. The other contacts of the circuit of Fig. 13 are connected to the correspondingly designated points of the circuit of Fig. 14, the connection and operation of this circuit being readily understood by those skilled in the art. Throwing the 8 pole switch shown permits the indicator to selectively read temperature or probe position.

It will be understood that suitable lead connections may be provided to the probes 33 and 34 if desired.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended 2&375843 7 laims he-inv i n may e pr ctic d th rwise than as spec fi a y des i ed- This tion may e manuf c u ed and used by or for the Government of the United States of Americafor governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

What is claimed as new and. desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1, In apparatus of the character disclosed, in combination, a frame member, a probe apparatus comprising a first probe support, said first probe support being rotatably mounted in said frame member, first motor means, m ns c p g sa d first motor means to said first probe support for rotating said first probe supp rt upon the rotation of said first motor means, a first potenti ometer having a movable arm, said mova le arm being operatively connected to, said coupling means and positioned in accordance with the angular position of said first probe support, a second probe 5 support rotatably mounted in said frame member, second motor means. means coupling said second motor means to said second probe support for rotating said second probe supe port upon the rotation of said second motor means, a second potentiometer having a movable arm, said last named arm being operatively con nected to said last named coupling means positioned in accordance-with the setting of said second probe support, electrical circuit means ,in-

eluding energizing'means and switching means operatively connected to said first and second motor means, and additional electrical circuit means includin indicating means operatively connected to said first and second potentiometers for utilizing the voltages at the arms of said p o-s tentiometers for selectively indicating the settings of said first and second probe supports, said first and second probe supports being so disposed that angular and axial probing motions are provided With respect to an axis common to said first and second probe supports.

2. In probe apparatus of the characterv 1115-. closed, in combination, frame means including a pair of'parallel upright supporting plates, a probe assembly including first probe coupling means rotatably mounted in a first plate of said pair, motor means mountedupon said first plate and operatively connected to said first probe coupli g means for rotating the same, first potentiometer means operatively connected to said first probe coupling means for obtaining a first voltage core responding to the instant rotary positionthereof, said probe assembly also including second probe coupling means mounted upon the second plate of said pair and constructed and arranged to be moved laterally with respect to said plate, addi-. tional motor moans operatively connected tosaid second coupling means for moving the latter, sece ond potentiometer means operatively connected to said second probe coupling means for obtains ing a second voltage corresponding to the instant lateral position thereof, and indicating means operatively connected to said first and second potentiometer means and selectively esp ns ve to said fi st and second voltages t p ovide nd ca ti ns or the instant settin s of he first and second pr be pling m ans SP CIWQX- 3 In robe app ra us, oi he character? i closed, in omb nation, frame. means in ludin a pair of parallel upright supporting plates, aprobe assembly including first probe coupling mean rota abiy mounted in a first plate sa d pai motor means, mo n e p n, aid fi stp ate andqpe ative v nne e to sa d P obe coup insm a s o o a in t a e, a f st poten i meter con ected to said first pr be coupl n means or btain g a first voltaeecorre pondine t the instant rotary p siti n the eo ,v aidprqbe assem ly also including second probe coupling means o nted. up he. sec nd pl Of a d pa r nd cons r cted and-a ranged to be mov d t ra ly with respect to said plate, additional motor means operatively connected to said second coupling means for moving the latter, second potentie Qm t means iterative y, c nn c ed to sa d se nd p obe c in means. for obtainin a, econd. voltage corresponding to the instant lateral posi-i tio the and indi ati g mean s e tive y e rb ive to sa iii-"stand sec n a e 4, In probe apparatus of the character dis: clo ed, i m a ion, a rst ate mem e rfi st wo m gear mea s, moun ed up n aid first plate member, first motor means operatively connected t sa d fi m sear ans o atin the s m first po ent om t r m ans avin a m i able arm coupled to and driven by said first worm s ar a p obe eans construct d an a ranged to have a first portion movable angularly w th r pect t an x s ormal, o the p ane of said first plate member and a second portion movable axially, means coupling said first portion to said r t w rm a m ns, a s cond p a ember disposed substantially parallel to said first plate member, second Worm gear means mounted upon said second plate member, second motor means operatively connected to said second worm gear means for rotating the same, second potentie ometer means having a movable arm coupled to and driven by said second Worm gear means, means coupling said second portion of the probe means to said second worm gear means, and elec: trical circuit means including indicating means operatively connected to said first and secpnd po:

tentiometer means for utilizing the voltages at the arms of said potentiometer means iorselece tively indicating the settings of the first and sece ond portions of the probe means. H l

5. Apparat acc rdin o c a m 4 i cludin dd ti na l c c c cui me ns hav n can energizing ns n w tchin mean operas tively connected to said first and second means.

LEONARD C. SMITH.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 877,312 Evershed Jan. 2-1, 1908 1,376,633 Obermaier May 3, 1921 7 1,699,759 Shepherd Jan. 22, 1929 1,795,650 Hershey Mar. 10, 1931 1,985,007 Ashworth Dec. 18, 1934 2,018,364- Jansen Oct. 22, 191,34 2,473,682 Harris et a1. June 2-1, 1949 

